Here’s a nice one for you!!

[donnkim]

We have just taken a brand new Chausson Titanium 708 on a Ford with an Auto 2 litre engine 170bhp. We have towed cars for over 8 years on previous used Motorhomes. So I assumed that this set up would be fine to continue towing our little Picanto. Apparently not so. Chausson do not put a towing weight on the vin plate. The conscientious guys at Towbar2Towcars - who I have always dealt with told me that I would need to get the motorhome up rated before fitting the tow bar. I have just spoken to SVtech. They said that there is a problem with a lot of vans from the Trigano group who are sending out vans without a towing weight plated.
I am sending all the information to SVtech who are trying to resolve this ridiculous situation with Trigano.
Again, respect to Towbars2Towcars - they know what they are about.
Any idea where I stand now that I have purchased a motorhome which cannot tow?

 

[Clarky]

I guess that it would depend on whether you specifically asked and said that you intended to tow.
If you did tell the salesman and you were told it was OK they would be guilty of misrepresentation.
If it wasn’t mentioned by you as a requirement then, unfortunately, tough.

BTW, I’m not a lawyer (I had to work for my money ) but I think that to be the case.
Best of luck.

Richard.

 

[Lenny HB]

Agree with Richard, if you didn't ask you are stuck with it. Even if you did ask you would probably need it in writing to have a case for rejection.

 

[scotzsue]

Doesn't help, but when we bought our first escape we knew it was a lightweight chassis, but dealers made sure we were aware before we queried.

 

[Pausim]

I thought these figures could be found on the Certificate of Conformity and the V5.

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[SpeedyDux]

I think the scope of the statutory implied term regarding fitness for purpose of goods sold is wider than just a specific purpose communicated by the buyer to the seller. This also applies to a purpose for which goods of that kind are commonly used. If MHs are commonly used for towing a trailer or Toad, (assuming there may be adequate evidence to support that proposition) then a MH sold without a towing weight or train weight shown on the plate is arguably not fit for purpose. It is the sort of limitation regarding the intended purpose or use that the seller ought to draw to the buyer's attention before the order is placed. Or, at least ask: What will you be using this MH for?

The counter-argument might be that there are some MHs with a chassis quite unsuitable for fitting a towbar. Tricky, eh.

Nevertheless it could be worth the OP getting professional advice.

[Usual disclaimer applies]

 

[donnkim]

Thanks. We will see what transpires. SVTECH are certainly going out of their way to check and help.
My wife and I are racking our brains if we mentioned towing. I am certain I spoke about towing our car in conversation with the salesman. I will not get into a legal argument - I work for my money!!

 

[Sasbo]

Had a similar experience last year when we downsized to a Chausson 530. I preferred the Transit base especially as it was the 2020 facelift model as its way more pleasurable to drive than the Ducato (in my opinion) and the automatic was a true auto, rather than the Fiat comfortmatic configuration.

In all fairness to the dealers salesman he asked how we use the motorhome and when we mentioned we intended to occasionally tow a toad, he advised that the Transit was not suitable, so we ended up with a Ducato base 530.

We have a Towbars2Towcars setup and can't fault their attention to detail and workmanship.

Hope you get this sorted.

 

[gus-lopez]

Any idea where I stand now that I have purchased a motorhome which cannot tow?

you can't tow. I'd be very surprised if it can be modified to do so as you cannot make a car without towing capability able to tow.

I thought these figures could be found on the Certificate of Conformity and the V5.

Many cars also have no towing capability.
It there is nothing in the "max train weight" box t cannot tow.

 

[Spriddler]

My son bought a 2018 Chausson Escape in Feb (Ford Transit base) had a towbar fitted and has already towed a Smart with an A frame nearly 1000 miles. I'm pretty sure he quoted towing (train?) weights to me when we were discussing the purchase of the m/h and then the Smart.
(And I warned him about using it as most of his touring is abroad but he quoted me the A frame maker's website even though I expressed grave doubts as often posted on Fun ).

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[SteveRallye]

The last 4 vans we have owned all had 2000kg towing limits, being an extugger and always wanting to have the option tow a car or trailer it was a standard question from me. The thing I do not like is the one chassis fits all mode as the overhangs on a lot of vans today (mine included) are way too much which is why I have had air suspension fitted on this one. I think a lot of the descisions and policies on the new breed of vans are made to lesson the chance of litigation.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

I seem to think I saw somewhere, that the Ford Transit auto's are not rated for towing by Ford.

 

[donnkim]

I have just checked the Trigano CofC - no train weights quoted. I really think that this should be pointed out to prospective purchasers.

 

[MickandHelen]

We bought a new Chausson 630 with the Ford Automatic gearbox in 2017, ordered at the 2016 NEC Show. At the time we specified one of our absolute red lines was we needed to tow a small car. We were assured at the show by the deale, and the Chausson Rep, that it could tow 2T. When we picked the van up in May 2017 the vin Plate said 4250, so could only tow 750kilo. It turned out that Ford had put a limit on its new auto gearbox. The dealer offered us a bit of a deal on a replacement but after speaking to trading standards we were told that as it was specified at the time of purchase the vehicle was "not fit for purpose". The answer is, yes you can refuse it.

 

[martin2603]

Was there nothing mentioned in the sales brochure regarding the vehicles gvw and gtw
Should be on the plate under the bonnet. Or was that conveniently covered with more sales ...p . All this info was clearly available when we were looking. Sorry to hear of your problems, good luck in getting it sorted.

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[MickandHelen]

With us, the automatic gearbox was new, due out in early 2017 so at the show there were no Vin plates to look at. The dealer and Chausson reps just assumed that it would tow the same as the Ford Manual and Ducato automatic. We went through a process over a few weeks, backwards and forwards to the dealer, Ford, Chausson etc but it led nowhere as it was Ford that had put the limit on. The dealer asked us what we wanted to do and agreed a like for like replacement, obviously not an automatic so agreed to replace with a Ford manual. In the end, due to delays in receiving the replacement from France we took a Ducato automatic which was dearer than the Ford and paid the difference in dealer cost. We were advised by Trading standards that we were entitled to money back, repair which of course was not possible or a replacement.